Training apparatus, in particular an elliptical trainer or cross trainer

ABSTRACT

A training apparatus, in particular an elliptical trainer or cross trainer with two pedals which are fitted on a respective pedal bar, rear ends of the pedal bars being connected in an articulated manner to a respective pedal crank, the pedal cranks being arranged rotatably about an axis (A), the pedals being mounted displaceably on the pedal bars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a training apparatus, in particular anelliptical trainer or cross trainer, with two pedals which are fitted ona respective pedal bar, rear ends of the pedal bars being connected inan articulated manner to a respective pedal crank. In this case, thepedal cranks are arranged rotatably about an axis.

Training apparatus of this type are disclosed, for example, in theutility model with the publication number DE 201 00 276 U1. Furthermore,training apparatus' of this type are produced and sold by varioussuppliers, including the applicant.

The training apparatus disclosed in the publication with the publicationnumber DE 201 00 267 U1 has two pedals which are connected fixedly tothe associated pedal bars. A user of the training apparatus, who standson the pedals of the training apparatus, therefore executes everymovement which the pedal bars execute. The movement is essentiallyelliptical, for which reason the term elliptical trainer is also used.The training apparatus disclosed in the publication has the possibilityof setting different strides, i.e. elliptical movements of differentsize, depending in each case on the users height. For smallerindividuals with a smaller stride, an ellipse having smaller radii canbe set, and for larger individuals having a larger stride, an ellipsehaving a larger radius can be set.

Although the elliptical movement of the feet that is transmitted withthe movement apparatus to the trunk of the body very closelyapproximates a natural running movement, it does not correspond 100% tothe natural sequence of movement. The movement on a training apparatusof this type is therefore unfamiliar in particular to first time users.

The invention is based on an object of permitting a more naturalsequence of movement, in particular a more natural movement of the legsand the hips, for the user than in the case of the previously knowncross trainers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved according to the invention by the pedals beingmounted displaceably on the pedal bars. The pedals are mounteddisplaceably on the pedal bars in such a manner that they are displacedforward and rearward during use of the training apparatus. The pedalsare therefore displaceable on the pedal bars during operation and do notexecute the movement of the pedal bars one to one. As a result, a morenatural movement is permitted for the user.

The pedals are preferably connected in an articulated manner to arespective push bar, it being possible for these push bars to beconnected in an articulated manner to a respective push bar crank. Thesepush bar cranks are preferably arranged rotatably about the same axisabout which the pedal cranks are already rotatably arranged. Via thepush bar cranks and the push bars, each pedal is pushed to and fro onthe pedal bar during operation of the training apparatus. The pedalstherefore execute a defined movement on the pedal bars. By means ofthese movements of the pedals, the ellipse is overall shallower, whichcorresponds to a more natural sequence of movement.

In a preferred embodiment of the training apparatus, the distancesbetween the points of engagement of the push bars on the push bar cranksand the axis are adjustable. Adaptation to individuals having differentstrides is therefore possible.

The pedal cranks and/or the push bar cranks may be completely orpartially formed by circular disks. The points of engagements of thepedal bars on the pedal cranks and if appropriate the points ofengagement of the push bars on the push bar cranks lie preferably in aplane which also includes the axis about which the pedal cranks and thepush bar cranks rotate.

The front ends of pedal bars of a training apparatus according to theinvention can be connected in an articulated manner to a respectivepedal lever. The pedal levers for their part can be fitted pivotably ina respective front bearing. This front bearing is preferably fitted withheight adjustment to a front part of the frame of the trainingapparatus. The ellipse, which is normally aligned essentiallyhorizontally, can be inclined upward or downward by theheight-adjustability of the front bearing. By means of an inclination ofthis type, the sensation of going uphill or downhill can be imparted toa user.

The training apparatus with a height-adjustable front bearing can haveparticular adjustment means for adjusting the height of the frontbearing. These adjustment means may comprise a drive, in particular anelectric motor, so that the adjustment of the front bearing does nothave to take place manually.

The adjustment means advantageously have elements for converting arotational movement into a linear movement. Elements of this type maycomprise a spindle on which a nut can be rotatably fitted.

Handles on which the user can place his hands during the exercises arepreferably fitted or integrally formed on the pedal levers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of a cross trainer according to the invention isillustrated in more detail in the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the cross trainer;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the cross trainer;

FIG. 3 shows a view from the rear;

FIG. 4 shows a view from the front; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The cross trainer illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 has a frame with a lowerpart 1 a and a front part 1 b. The frame is produced essentially by twohollow profiles arranged at a distance from each other. The hollowprofiles are largely guided parallel to each other, in particular in theregion of the front part 1 b of the frame. In a rear region of the lowerpart 1 a of the frame, the hollow profiles are angled, so that they liedirectly adjacent to each other in this region.

The upwardly protruding ends of the hollow profiles forming the frontpart 1 b of the frame are connected to each other via first webs 1 c.These first webs 1 c are produced from pieces of flat steel. Inaddition, the two hollow profiles are connected to each other in theregion of the front part 1 b of the frame via a second web 1 d composedof a hollow profile. An electric motor 5 is fastened to this web 1 d,which is fitted below the two first webs 1 c. This electric motor 5drives a spindle element 4, the length of which can be changed by theelectric motor 5. At its lower end, the spindle element is fitted to afitting 2 which is connected fixedly to the web 1 d. The upper end ofthe spindle element 4 is connected to a fitting 3 which is fastened to across piece 7. This cross piece 7 is mounted displaceably between thefirst webs 1 c on sliding tubes 6.

By rotation of a spindle of the spindle element, the height of the crosspiece 7 can be changed. Projecting struts 7 a which areheight-adjustable together with the cross piece 7 are fitted fixedly tothe cross piece 7. Two front bearings 8 are provided at the free ends ofthe struts 7 a. A respective pedal lever 9 is mounted pivotably on thesefront bearings 8. The pedal levers 9 extend both below the frontbearings 8 and above the bearings 8, with the upper ends of the pedallevers 9 forming handles 10.

The lower ends of the pedal levers 9 are connected in an articulatedmanner to front ends of pedal bars 12 via a bearing 11. The rear ends ofthe pedal bars 12 are connected to pedal cranks 21 a, 21 b via bearingsformed from bearing bushings 12 a and journals 20, with the pedal crank21 a being formed by a circular disk 21 a. The two pedal cranks 21 a, 21b are rotatable about a common axis A. The points of engagement of thepedal bars 12 on the pedal cranks 21 a, 21 b are provided at the samedistance from the axis A. The points of engagement are situateddiametrically opposite each other relative to the axis A.

A centrifugal mass 24 designed as a flywheel is driven by the pedalcrank designed as a circular disk 21 a. For this purpose, a toothed beltor V-belt 23 is laid over the circular disk 21 a. This belt drives thecentrifugal mass 24 with the interconnection of a gear. A housing 25 isprovided in the region of the centrifugal mass 24, in which housingvarious electrical components, for example an eddy current brake,various sensors and so on are accommodated.

Guide elements 14 are provided on the pedal bars 12. Pedals 13 can bedisplaced on these guide elements 14 in the direction of extent of thepedal bars 12. The person using the cross trainer stands on thesepedals. The pedals 13 are connected to a first end of a push bar 16 viabearings 15. The push bars 16 are connected at their second end via arespective bearing 17 to push bar cranks 19. The push bar cranks 19 areconnected fixedly to the bearing journal 20 on which the push bar cranks20 engage by means of their bearing bushings 12 a. These push bar cranks19, which are likewise designed as circular disks, are rotatable aboutthe axis A in the same manner as the pedal cranks 21 a, 21 b.

The points of engagement of the push bars 16 on the push bar cranks 19are situated diametrically opposite each other and in a plane E whichcontains the points of engagement of the push bars 16 on the push barcranks 19, the points of engagement of the pedal bars and the pedalcranks 21 a, 21 b and the axis A. The push bar cranks 19, the bearingjournal 20, the pedal cranks 21 a, 21 b and a shaft (not illustrated)connecting the pedal cranks 21 a and 21 b to each other are connectedrigidly to one another and form a multiply stepped crankshaft.

The inclination of the pedals 13 can be changed by theheight-adjustability of the front bearing 8 and therefore of the pointof engagement of the pedal lever 9 on the front part 1 b of the frame.If the front bearing 8 is raised, the sensation of having to move uphillis imparted to the user. A lowering of the front bearing 8 enables theopposite to be achieved; the sensation of moving downhill is namelyimparted to the user.

The displacability of the pedals. 13 on the pedal bars 12 and thecoupling of the pedals 13 to the push bar cranks 19 via the push bars,which displacability and coupling are additionally provided incomparison to a conventional cross trainer, bring about an additionalmovement of the user on the pedal bars 12. As a result, an overall morenatural movement is achieved than is the case with conventional crosstrainers.

The connection at the second ends of the push bars 16 and the push barcranks 19 is releasable. The point of engagement of the second ends ofthe push bars 16, i.e. the bearings 17, can be displaced radially oroffset on a line E. For this purpose, holes 18 in which a couplingelement of the bearing 17 can engage are provided on each of the pushbar cranks 19. By means of a displacement of the point of engagement ofthe second end of the push bar 16, the travel which the pedal 13experiences on the pedal bars 12 during a revolution of the push barcranks 19 can be varied. A matching to the individual stride of the useris therefore possible.

1. A training apparatus, an elliptical trainer or cross trainer,comprising two pedals which are fitted on a respective pedal bar, rearends of the pedal bars being connected in an articulated manner to arespective pedal crank, the pedal cranks being arranged rotatably aboutan axis (A), wherein the pedals are mounted displaceably on the pedalbars.
 2. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein thepedals are connected in an articulated manner to a respective push bar.3. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the respectivepush bar is connected in an articulated manner to a respective push barcrank.
 4. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein therespective push bar crank is arranged rotatably about the axis (A). 5.The training apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein distances betweenthe points of engagement of the respective push bar on the push barcrank and the axis (A) are adjustable.
 6. The training apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the pedal cranks and/or push bar cranks arecompletely or partially formed by circular disks.
 7. The trainingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the points of engagement of thepedal bars on the pedal cranks and the points of engagement of the pushbars on the push bar cranks lie in a plane (E) which includes the axis(A).
 8. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein front endsof the pedal bars are connected in an articulated manner to respectivepedal levers.
 9. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 8, whereinthe respective pedal lever is fitted pivotably to a respective frontbearing.
 10. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein therespective front bearing is fitted with height adjustment to a frontpart of the frame.
 11. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 10,wherein the training apparatus has adjustment means for adjusting theheight of the respective front bearing.
 12. The training apparatus asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the adjustment means comprise a drive. 13.The training apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the drive is anelectric motor.
 14. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 11,wherein the adjustment means comprise elements for converting arotational movement into a linear movement.
 15. The training apparatusas claimed in claim 14, wherein the conversion elements comprise aspindle.
 16. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 8, whereinhandles are fitted or integrally formed on the pedal levers.